Match ends, Oxford United 1, Cambridge United 0.
Oxford UtdOxford United1CambridgeCambridge United0
Shaun Derry experienced defeat in his first game in charge of Cambridge United as Oxford kept pace with League Two leaders Plymouth Argyle.
Ryan Taylor's first-half goal, his fourth in three games for Oxford, came from Alex MacDonald's pull back.
Danny Hylton hit the underside of the bar after the break after he rounded Cambridge goalkeeper Chris Dunn.
Barry Corr had two late efforts from corners cleared off the line, but the visitors could not find a leveller.
Former Notts County manager Derry, who was named successor to Richard Money at the Abbey Stadium on Thursday, saw his side create little before their late rally.
Oxford remain second in the table, five points behind leaders Plymouth, who beat York 2-1.
Oxford United manager Michael Appleton told BBC Radio Oxford:
"For the boys to keep a clean sheet today was crucial, especially after the blip we had in the last home game here against Barnet.
"It was a little bit of a nervy end, which is obviously always the case if you only score the one goal and I said that to the players the importance of getting that second goal.
"We created lots of chances on the day and you're always giving the opposition a chance to get something out of the game if you don't get it.
"I thought the lads held firm, didn't panic, defended well when they needed to and were in the right places at the right time."
Cambridge United manager Shaun Derry told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire:
"First game in charge against a really, really difficult opponent. Oxford I feel are a side that are going to get promoted.
"I've watched a lot of this level lately and this team were a real stand-out team and it was difficult at times today.
"But, I felt that we've shown a resolve that's probably been questioned in recent weeks and we found a way of affecting the game in the last 10 to 15 minutes.
"There were parts of the performance where I think we can improve a lot on. But, in terms of the whole 90 minutes, we've come here and given Oxford a real game.
"'I'm proud of the information the lads have taken on in the two days I've worked with them. But I want them to learn and go forward as a football club."
Line-ups
Oxford Utd
Formation 4-4-2
- 13Buchel
- 2Baldock
- 33Dunkley
- 5Mullins
- 3Skarz
- 4Roofe
- 8Sercombe
- 18LundstramBooked at 60mins
- 11MacDonald
- 10Hylton
- 20TaylorBooked at 25mins
Substitutes
- 1Slocombe
- 7Rose
- 9Hoban
- 14Ruffels
- 23Gayle
- 26Cundy
- 27George
Cambridge
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Dunn
- 25DemetriouSubstituted forSimpsonat 84'minutes
- 5RobertsBooked at 37mins
- 6LeggeBooked at 29mins
- 12Sesay
- 7Donaldson
- 8BerryBooked at 79mins
- 24NewtonSubstituted forHughesat 73'minutes
- 21GaffneySubstituted forSlewat 58'minutesBooked at 83mins
- 10Corr
- 11Dunk
Substitutes
- 3Taylor
- 9Slew
- 13Beasant
- 14Coulson
- 15Simpson
- 16Morrissey
- 18Hughes
- Referee:
- Keith Hill
- Attendance:
- 6,958
Match Stats
Home TeamOxford UtdAway TeamCambridge
- Possession
- Home58%
- Away42%
- Shots
- Home9
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away2
- Corners
- Home7
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Oxford United 1, Cambridge United 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. Luke Berry (Cambridge United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
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Hand ball by Ryan Taylor (Oxford United).
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Corner, Cambridge United. Conceded by Joe Skarz.
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Delay in match Alexander MacDonald (Oxford United) because of an injury.
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Attempt blocked. Barry Corr (Cambridge United) header from the centre of the box is blocked.
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Foul by John Lundstram (Oxford United).
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Jeff Hughes (Cambridge United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Attempt saved. Barry Corr (Cambridge United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
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Corner, Cambridge United. Conceded by George Baldock.
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Corner, Cambridge United. Conceded by Ryan Taylor.
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Corner, Cambridge United. Conceded by Cheyenne Dunkley.
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Foul by Cheyenne Dunkley (Oxford United).
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Jordan Slew (Cambridge United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Cambridge United. Robbie Simpson replaces Mickey Demetriou.
Booking
Jordan Slew (Cambridge United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Alexander MacDonald (Oxford United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Jordan Slew (Cambridge United).
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Hand ball by Barry Corr (Cambridge United).
